Within the 2025 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots grabbed promising gamers on offense, protection and particular groups, so Mike Vrabel can have many new weapons to tinker with in his first season as head coach in Foxborough.
Gamers chosen within the later rounds in all probability can have lesser roles this season, however a number of rookies ought to get loads of enjoying time. Listed here are three Patriots rookies who will make an instantaneous influence in 2025:
Deal with Will Campbell (first spherical, fourth total)
The 21-year-old is a assured Week 1 starter who can have excessive expectations from the get-go. Vrabel has described Campbell (6-foot-6, 320 kilos) as a “foundational piece” who stood out within the draft course of due to his bodily and psychological fortitude.
New England allowed the fifth-most sacks within the NFL final season (52), they usually selected Campbell because the particular person to make sure second-year QB Drake Maye has time to throw. Campbell will probably be positioned at left deal with, the place he performed in faculty, to guard Maye’s blindside.
If Campbell has a powerful rookie season, New England’s file will reap the advantages. If he fails, nonetheless, there’s a threat that Maye will get banged up, which might cascade into a mess of points. The stakes will probably be excessive for Campbell.
Huge receiver Kyle Williams (third spherical, 69th total)
With receivers Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne and Mack Hollins on the roster, Williams is not going to be anticipated to supply at a remarkably excessive stage. He’ll, nonetheless, have an vital function.
Williams will probably be competing with Bourne for the third receiver spot. Even when he loses that battle, he would be the first receiver to come back off the bench.
NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein described Williams as a participant with “house run potential.” Per Pro Football Focus, “his 8.4 yards after the catch per reception in 2024 ranked first within the draft class amongst huge receivers with at the very least 75 targets, and his 590 yards after the catch have been the fourth most.”
Williams, a Washington State product, might develop into a deep-ball menace for New England, which had no receiver catch greater than three TD passes final season.